Reducing the horns off rhinos causes a big discount in poaching, based on a brand new examine, which raises questions concerning the effectiveness of costly anti-poaching methods used to guard the African mammals.
Poaching for horn is a major risk to the world’s 5 rhino species. The substance, which is analogous to human fingernails, is often used for conventional medication in China, Vietnam and different Asian international locations. Sellers within the hidden market can pay tens of 1000’s of {dollars} for the horns, that are falsely believed to be efficient at treating fevers, ache and a low intercourse drive in conventional medication.
However new analysis within the journal Science has highlighted methods to higher defend the animals from unlawful hunters. An evaluation of rhino safety strategies within the Better Kruger area of South Africa – house to 1 / 4 of the continent’s rhinos – discovered that eradicating horns diminished poaching by practically 80% between 2017 and 2023.
In a collaboration between scientists, conservationists and authorities officers, the analysis discovered no statistical proof that conventional anti-poaching interventions – equivalent to rangers, detection cameras, canine monitoring and helicopters – precipitated vital reductions in rhino poaching, regardless of their multimillion-dollar value, though they have been profitable at detecting lots of of poachers.
“Dehorning rhinos to scale back incentives for poaching was discovered to attain a 78% discount in poaching utilizing simply 1.2% of the general rhino safety funds,” mentioned Dr Tim Kuiper of Nelson Mandela College, a lead creator of the examine. “We’d must rethink our targets. Will we simply need to arrest poachers? It doesn’t look like making an enormous distinction to decreasing rhino poaching.”
To dehorn a rhino, staff sedate the animal, apply a blindfold and earplugs, and lower off the horn with an influence noticed. The horn will step by step regrow – a mean rhino must be dehorned each 1.5 to 2 years. The method poses a really low danger to the animal and doesn’t damage it.
“The headline result’s that dehorning stood out for its effectiveness. We’re cautious to say that the opposite interventions usually are not working. They labored when measured by whether or not they have been detecting poachers. However detecting and arresting a load of poachers doesn’t essentially bend the curve on rhino poaching,” Kuiper mentioned.
In South Africa, rhino poaching stays excessive, with 103 killed within the first three months of 2025. Final 12 months, 420 have been misplaced. In current a long time, rhino populations have collapsed in Asia and Africa as a consequence of poaching and habitat loss, persevering with falls pushed by European colonial hunters.
However the researchers behind the venture, representing the College of Cape City, Nelson Mandela College, College of Stellenbosch and the College of Oxford and different conservation establishments, cautioned that dehorning rhinos was not a magic bullet. A big stump of horn mass stays on the rhino after dehorning, and a few poachers have been nonetheless ready to kill rhinos for this part.
Sharon Haussmann, a pioneer in rhino conservation in South Africa and co-author on the paper, performed a number one position in coordinating conservation efforts within the examine space. She died unexpectedly on the weekend and Kuiper needed to focus on the collaboration between completely different sectors which might be typically mistrustful of one another in her reminiscence.
“Is a rhino nonetheless a rhino with out its horn? That’s a much bigger query,” mentioned Kuiper.
One examine of black rhinos indicated that whereas poaching charges decreased, dehorned animals turned extra timid and coated a lot smaller ranges. Researchers consider that horn is used to ascertain territories and dehorned rhinos have been unable to do that after the process.
“We wouldn’t wish to maintain dehorning them for the following 100 years,” Kuiper mentioned. “Ideally we wish to deal with the drivers of poaching. However it’s higher than the impacts of poaching”
This article by Patrick Greenfield was first revealed by The Guardian on 5 June 2025. Lead Picture: Employees are likely to a tranquillised rhino after dehorning. The horn will step by step regrow and must be handled each 1.5 to 2 years. {Photograph}: Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters.
Wildlife in catastrophic decline
The 73% decline in vertebrate wildlife populations over the last 50 years (mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish), is primarily pushed by human actions that threaten biodiversity.
Habitat Loss and Degradation – human actions like deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture have led to the destruction and fragmentation of pure habitats, decreasing the house and sources accessible for wildlife.
Air pollution – air, water, and soil air pollution from industrial actions, agriculture, and different sources can hurt wildlife straight or not directly by affecting their habitats and meals sources.
Local weather Change – altering climate patterns, rising temperatures, and sea ranges are disrupting ecosystems and impacting species’ means to adapt and survive.
Overexploitation of Sources – unsustainable searching, fishing, and logging practices can result in the depletion of populations and the lack of biodiversity.
Invasive Species – the introduction of non-native species can disrupt ecosystems, compete with native species, and threaten their survival.
Assist to guard wildlife by donating as little as $5. Our conservation companions spend not less than 80 % of the cash raised on precise fieldwork relatively than administration and fundraising.
